Overview of Westfield

Home to more than 41,100 people, Westfield, Mass., is located at the foot of the Berkshires and is bordered by rural areas and small cities. You'll need to get to know how to get around the area if you're looking for Westfield apartments for rent. Part of the Springfield, Mass., metropolitan area, Westfield is located 97 miles from Boston and 77 miles from Albany, N.Y., and is spread out over about 47 square miles. Residents of Westfield apartments love the city's charming vistas and small-town feel, as well as its combination of historic roots and modern neighborhoods.

Established around 1669, Westfield was once the most western town in the colony of Massachusetts. For 150 years after its founding, Westfield served as an agricultural community. In modern times, Westfield serves as a suburban community for the Springfield area. Manufacturing, healthcare and education industries still flourish in the local economy.

Living in Westfield

Home to numerous historic buildings, Westfield enjoys a distinct aura of charm. Know that if you're looking for Westfield apartments for rent, about 40 percent of the city's homes were built prior to 1940, and numerous groups have headed programs for downtown revitalization and historic preservation. A thriving downtown area provides residents with opportunities to shop, dine and enjoy Westfield's community events, such as Colonial Harvest Day, the Westfield Farmers Market and a variety of other activities. Westfield residents also enjoy numerous recreational activities. Stanley Park is home to 180 acres of rose gardens, concert and picnic areas, duck ponds and open space, while Hampton Ponds State Park offers canoeing, fishing, hiking and swimming opportunities to nature lovers from around the region. Camping enthusiasts can get their fix at Chester-Blandford State Park or Granville State Forest, and those who prefer more refined natural settings can enjoy golf, tennis and boating at the Tekoa and Blandford Country Clubs, Stanley Park and Southwick Marina, respectively.

Westfield Apartments and Cost of Living

Westfield's beauty comes with a price, and the cost of living here, according to AreaVibes, is 27.7 percent greater than the national average. However, rental rates are reasonable, and you'll appreciate this when you're looking for Westfield apartments for rent. AreaVibes reports that average rents are 1.1 percent greater than the national average.

Apartments in Westfield Work and Study

If higher education brings you to look for apartments for rent in Westfield, the city is home to Westfield State College. Additionally, numerous institutes of higher learning are located within about 20 miles of Westfield, including Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield College, Western New England College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Many residents of apartments in Westfield commute to nearby Springfield for work, but about 43 percent of Westfield residents live and work within the city. Top employers in Westfield include Noble Hospital, Westfield State College, Beacon-Morris, Berkshire Industries, Hydro Therm, Mestek, National Envelope Co., Walmart, Westcast Industries, Western Massachusetts Hospital and Advance Manufacturing Co.

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